Chapter 483: Who Is the Real Villain

Sang Qian spun around, thinking, *Was I so consumed by anger just now, so focused on cursing Zu An, that I didn't notice someone approaching?*

However, once he clearly saw the person, he instantly breathed a sigh of relief.

It was a middle-aged Daoist nun, dressed in an apricot-yellow Daoist robe, holding a snow-white whisk in her hand.

Though calling her middle-aged seemed a bit of an overstatement; there were no traces of age on her face, yet she was certainly not a young girl. The mature demeanor and charm she exuded just by standing there were something a young girl couldn't possibly feign.

She wasn't exceptionally beautiful—at least, far from as beautiful as Pei Mianman and Zheng Dan—but she wasn't ugly either. Coupled with her graceful figure, she could generally be described as a beauty.

"Are you speaking to me, Immortal Maiden?" Sang Qian's tone was somewhat polite, as men instinctively try to maintain a good image in front of beautiful women.

"Is there anyone else here?" The Daoist nun chuckled softly, her laugh carrying a subtle, indescribable meaning.

Sang Qian's heart skipped a beat. He instinctively felt the Daoist nun's laugh was somewhat undignified, yet it wasn't exactly frivolous. The feeling was hard for him to describe.

It should be called 'allure.' The unique allure about her was something young girls didn't possess, and it gave him an unprecedented experience.

"Do you, Immortal Maiden, also know Zu An?" However, Sang Qian wasn't completely swept away, and a hint of wariness arose in his heart.

"No, I don't know him," the Daoist nun said. "I just heard you cursing him so fiercely, so I figured he couldn't be a good person."

Sang Qian was overjoyed. He knew that recently, everyone had been revolving around Zu An. Pei Mianman liked him, and even his fiancée Zheng Dan liked him. What he couldn't stand the most was that his father and sister also spoke up for him.

In such an environment, Sang Qian felt like he was going mad. Now, finally hearing someone speak up for him, in that instant, he was almost moved to tears.

"You've said it perfectly, Immortal Maiden! That Zu An is truly a piece of trash!" Sang Qian cursed bitterly.

"What did he do to make you so angry?" the Daoist nun asked with a faint, knowing smile. "Did he perhaps steal your wife?"

"No, not that!" Sang Qian's face flushed crimson. Although Zheng Dan and Zu An seemed somewhat close, it probably hadn't reached that level. Even if it were true, what man would admit to such a shameful thing? "In short, that person is just really annoying."

The Daoist nun chuckled, "If he's so annoying, why don't you go kill him? Cursing him behind his back isn't very manly."

Sang Qian's face burned. "Who says I haven't? I just failed!"

Unwilling to be questioned further, he quickly asked, "How does the Immortal Maiden come to be in a place like this? You know, these mountains are very dangerous, with fierce beasts everywhere. Even humans here could be bandits or robbers."

The Daoist nun sighed faintly, "People like us, when traveling afar to temper our minds, naturally have to venture into the mountains. So far, my luck has been good; I haven't encountered any fierce beasts. As for bandits and robbers, I wonder if you are one, young master?"

Sang Qian puffed out his chest and quickly said, "Of course not! I am actually an imperial official, specifically tasked with apprehending thieves."

"Oh?" A flicker of surprise crossed the Daoist nun's eyes. "So you are a general. My apologies for the oversight."

Hearing her praise, Sang Qian felt delighted. He suddenly felt that this woman in front of him was much more charming. *Zheng Dan, Pei Mianman, they can all go to hell.*

With hormones surging, he quickly said, "Where are you heading, Immortal Maiden? If you need, I can protect you."

"You protect me?" A peculiar expression appeared in the Daoist nun's eyes.

"Of course. Don't let my current appearance fool you; I am actually a Sixth-Rank expert. Dealing with mountain bandits and various fierce beasts is naturally no trouble for me." Sang Qian continuously boasted about himself, hoping to leave a strong impression and win her favor.

"A Sixth-Rank! That's truly impressive," the Daoist nun said, covering her mouth with a surprised expression.

"It's nothing much, really. My father is even more formidable; he's an Eighth-Rank peak expert." Sang Qian had originally intended to boast about being Ninth-Rank, but he simply didn't have the confidence.

The Daoist nun chuckled, "The young master truly comes from an esteemed background."

Sang Qian looked pleased with himself. Over the years, he had charmed countless noble young ladies with his prominent family background and status. How much more so for a Daoist nun accustomed to a simple life. "You still haven't said where you're going. If it's on my way, I can escort you."

He had already made up his mind; no matter where she said her destination was, he would claim it was on his way.

Then, by traveling with her and relying on his charm and methods, it wouldn't be difficult to get intimate with her.

As for his father and sister, he didn't want to go back and face their disapproval now. At worst, he could meet up with them later in the capital.

He subconsciously scrutinized her. Even though she wore a loose Daoist robe, he could still sense the graceful curves of her figure underneath.

Although this woman wasn't as beautiful as Pei Mianman or Zheng Dan, he felt an inherent sensuality emanating from her, which made him instinctively want to pin her down and have his way with her.

As various images flashed through his mind, his heart began to pound.

The Daoist nun seemed to sense the fervent gaze in his eyes. She instinctively glanced at him and then said, "I'm heading to Wang Family Town just ahead. Is that on your way, young master?"

"I just came from there. I know that place inside out!" Sang Qian's eyes lit up.

"Oh? Wouldn't that be making you go out of your way again?" The Daoist nun sounded a little embarrassed.

"It's fine, it's not far anyway." However, Sang Qian suddenly thought of the Demonic Cult members, and a hint of hesitation appeared on his face. "But I advise the Immortal Maiden not to go there for now. Demonic cultists are lurking in that area; they might still be there."

"Demonic cultists?" The Daoist nun's eyes darted around. "By the way, was that Zu An you were just cursing also among them?"

Sang Qian grunted in affirmation. "Yes, he was lucky to escape this time, but if he falls into the hands of the Demonic Cult, he won't last long."

"I see. In that case, it seems I need to hurry there," the Daoist nun nodded.

Sang Qian was taken aback. "Did you not hear what I just said, Immortal Maiden?"

The Daoist nun smiled, "Of course I heard. But since you are so capable, young master, can't you protect me? Surely those demonic cultists are nothing to you."

"Of... of course," Sang Qian laughed awkwardly. "This way, please."

After they had walked for a while, the Daoist nun suddenly stopped. "This direction seems a bit off, doesn't it?"

Sang Qian thought to himself, 'Of course it's wrong. I'm not stupid; I just barely escaped the Demonic Cult, I'm not going to walk right back into their trap.' "I know a shortcut this way; it's faster."

The Daoist nun said, sounding a little scared, "Young master, don't mislead me. This path is becoming more and more secluded. What if we encounter bad people?"

Sang Qian chuckled, "Don't you have me to protect you?"

"What if *you* are the bad person, young master?" the Daoist nun blinked her eyes.

Sang Qian's breath caught. Before he could think of a reply, the Daoist nun burst into a giggle. "I'm just teasing you. How could a distinguished person like yourself be a bad person?"

Sang Qian chuckled, "Of course, of course."

After walking for a bit longer, Sang Qian suddenly said, "I've been escorting the Immortal Maiden all this way. I wonder how you plan to repay me?"

The Daoist nun pursed her lips and giggled charmingly. "What kind of repayment does the young master desire?"

Seeing the allure in her eyes, Sang Qian could no longer restrain himself. He pounced forward and hugged her tightly. "Of course, I want *you*."

The Daoist nun's face paled. She quickly tried to push him away. "Young master, please don't."

Sang Qian laughed aloud. "Don't pretend anymore. It's clear you're no proper Daoist nun. You've been teasing me all along the way, so why don't we just get straight to the point and enjoy some intimate pleasure?"

The Daoist nun feigned a scolding tone. "The young master is truly a bad person."

Sang Qian merely took it as flirtation and couldn't help but smile triumphantly. "Too bad you realized it too late."

However, he couldn't help but frown, because he realized his 'little brother' was still unresponsive. *That's not right. Based on past experience, holding such a beauty should have made me fully aroused by now.*

Just then, the Daoist nun suddenly revealed a strange smile. "Young master, you seem to have forgotten something."

"What?" Sang Qian was startled, and instinctively felt something was wrong.

"What if *I* am the bad person?" The Daoist nun grinned. Her previously alluring red lips suddenly transformed into six chilling, tube-like proboscises.

Sang Qian was terrified out of his wits. He desperately tried to escape, but he couldn't break free. The hands that were soft moments ago now gripped him like iron clamps.

Then, before his terrified eyes, the six horrifying proboscises plunged directly into his neck and began to gurgle as they sucked his blood.

Sang Qian instantly felt a chilling cold spread through his body. A numbing sensation emanated from his neck, as if he couldn't even feel pain.

But his survival instinct urged him to struggle desperately. Unfortunately, his strength was rapidly waning.

To his horror, he watched his arms visibly shrivel until they were just skin and bone. Then, his entire being plunged into endless darkness.